How do I lock my Android device?

Face it – you’ve got stuff on your phone that is invaluable to you and it would be a problem if it got into the hands of others. Okay, maybe you might not have something critical but it would still be a problem if someone were to get into your phone. What do you do to combat prying eyes, overly jealous lovers, or snooping colleagues? Put a layer of protection on the home screen, that’s what.

This isn’t about putting a third party app or some deep-level of security on your phone, it’s about applying a barrier to keep unwanted folks out. We’ll address deeper security and encryption at a later date.

Android offers a number of security screen options that give users peace of mind, adding new and innovative stuff along the way. You can employ a pattern unlock, PIN, facial recognition, password or a combination of things. Start by opening up the app tray (usually an icon that looks like small squares) at the bottom of your phone and scroll until you see Settings.

Again, your experience will vary depending on manufacturer and version of Android; however, you should look for something that smells of locking. Lock Screen, Display, or Screen Lock are some of the more common tabs you’ll run into here. Once you’re in there you’ll likely see settings for the various ways of locking.

Feel free to play around with your lock screen options but don’t forget your password. Also, we recommend setting up some owner information to display on the lock screen. This way, a good-deed-doer can return your phone to the proper place should you leave it at a coffee shop.